A review from Steve Hackett's recent performances in the US. (Ardmore Philadelphia - Oct '93). It's been SIX YEARS since we've seen Steve Hackett in the states! On his recent tour (of which I saw 2 performances), Steve and his band answered the fundamental question, "What's new these days?" Well...rather a lot really. About 75% of the material played was new, and one gets the feeling that Steve has "found a groove" with this new band. The underlying purpose of the tour had been realized. They were a band. And a tight one at that. The drummer, Hugo Degenhardt had an energy and agility on the kit that was very reminiscent of drummers like Alan White, Carl Palmer, and ...others. On a robust fretless bass, Dave Ball played with a similar jazz- like precision that seems rare in the rock and roll world. Julian Colbeck performed on what could be called a spartan keyboard, tending to avoid the "wall of sound" role that synths often assume. All in all, the band complemented each others talents, seemed comfortable with what they were playing, and except for the fact that their manager and spiritual leader Billy Budis was the only one who could sign at the bar for beer, they looked like they were having a good time.

* On With The Show *
After an opening medley of numbers from the first four albums, the band stopped, took about one breath, and launched into an inspired performance of "Camino Royale", which I gather is one of Steve's favorites. Then out came an electric megaphone, with Steve reciting some grim and brooding lines to begin, (and no I am not making this up) "Vampyre With a Healthy Appetite", which after its strange beginning, progresseded at a strong pace. What followed next was one of the pieces mentioned in the interview. "Flight of the Condor" did indeed have that long sustained guitar sound so reminisent of Defector or Spectral Mornings.
"Take These Pearls" came next, and was one of the best romantic songs that I have heard him do in ages. It was perhaps my favorite piece of the entire show. One could hear the latin influence he spoke of in the rhythm. And the vocals! Steve, Julian, and Dave put together some truly exceptional harmonies! In fact, Steve's solo vocals on most of other new pieces sounded like some of his best yet. So much for my insightful question during the interview. "Always Somewhere Else" ...in 7/8ths! followed, and evolved into something of an improvizational melee. The next number was an instant sensation with the crowd... "In the Heart of the City". Again the vocals were strong, the chorus was catchy and they used some interesting urban synth noises to open. I could imagine hearing this song on the (GASP!) radio.

"Walking Away From Rainbows" was as Steve described it in the interview, a very passive and reflective piece for acoustic guitar and somewhat ethereal synth. This piece, too, was reminiscent of the quieter moments on the early albums. The next piece was very strange. (and here I will lapse briefly into the rock music as comparative literature mode). "Many Sides to the Night" opened with some surprisingly well executed blues harmonica. What followed was a sort of Beat poet-Moody Blues-Lou Reed-type spoken narrative, which eventually gave way to vocals that were reminiscent of Pink Floyd's Hey You.

"In That Quiet Earth" followed, in a form that has developed well beyond the version we heard on Time Lapse, and included some more very energetic harmonica solos. Steve dedicated his next song to the individual who had done such an able job teaching him the harmonica, Paul Butterfield. It was called "Dark is the Grave". This song truly felt like an acoustic Kim Poor painting, very ethereal, but with an underlying rhythm that moved at a swift quiet pace, like cloth horses.
A very lively and well received bass and drum solo came next, with the two musicians showing just what they were capable of. From a relative funkfest of solo slap bass, the entire band plunged into "Etruscan Serenade", "Depth Charge", and the only other old vocal piece that they played; "Everyday". They did a very nice job with it too, the consensus being that the performance sounded even better than they did at the time Time Lapse was recorded.
Encore time arrives. Beginning with an acoustic medley containing pieces of "Cuckoo Cocoon", "Blood on the Rooftops", and "Horizon". Then they played a new piece that they had apparently only played live twice, (and has not yet been given a title). It had a bluesy feel to it, with lots of harmonica and an almost ZZ Top feel to it. In closing, they played a blues standard "The Stumble" with the remark; "I don't know why I was born in England when you've got all the blues over here." (ooh, I think I can hear the English types wheezing from here). "Thank you and good night." Steve Hackett and his band are back. The wait was worth it folks. It sounds like he's holding the Ace of Wands again.
Review & Photos by Bill Brink for The Waiting Room.